The Rachel Maddow Show Maddow: Trump's clown car Cabinet now an alarming liability as threat from Iran spikes
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Mar 3, 2026 Tammy Duckworth, U.S. Senator from Illinois and combat veteran on the Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees, discusses national security and recent U.S. actions regarding Iran. Short takes cover questionable firings at the FBI, leadership gaps across security agencies, and risks of a widening regional conflict. Multiple sharp snapshots of how policy choices raise new threats.
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FBI Unit That Tracks Iran Threats
- The FBI's CI-12 unit specializes in counterintelligence threats from Iran and exposed major plots like Monica Witt's defection and assassination plans.
- CI-12's work included identifying Iran-linked cyberattacks and assembling target packages used to plot killings of U.S. personnel.
Soleimani Strike Sparked Global Assassination Plots
- After the 2020 U.S. drone strike killed Qasem Soleimani, Iran retaliated by attacking U.S. bases in Iraq and planning assassinations of U.S. officials.
- Targets included John Bolton, Mike Pompeo, Brian Hook and even a plot against Donald Trump, showing Iran's reach and intent.
Timing Of CI-12 Firings Raises Security Concerns
- FBI Director Kash Patel fired about a dozen agents and staff from CI-12 just before the U.S. began escalating military action against Iran.
- Carol Leonnig reports FBI insiders fear more firings and worry these moves weaken Iran-focused counterintelligence.